Positive COVID cases have been recorded at the Adelaide Pre-release Centre, the Adelaide Women's Prison and Mobilong Prison.
In the past 24 hours, more than 10 prisoners have tested positive to COVID-19 at the Adelaide Pre-release Centre. Prisoners are currently quarantined in their accommodation units and all prisoners on site are declared close contacts.
A prisoner also tested positive to COVID-19 at the Adelaide Women’s Prison. The prisoner was recently admitted and in quarantine when she tested positive.
On Friday 31 December 2021, 2 prisoners tested positive to COVID-19 at Mobilong Prison.
There is no suggestion that these cases were linked to the APC cases.
The APC has now been declared an outbreak situation and the site is in lockdown, as is AWP and Mobilong while contact tracing is underway.
The Department is working with Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) and we are responding in accordance with agreed protocols. Contact tracing is underway.
To date, there have been no further positive results recorded for DCS staff members or prisoners.
At APC, AWP and Mobilong Prison, face-to-face professional visits have been suspended at this stage. Professional visits will be conducted virtually where possible.
At all other sites, visit sessions have been reduced to a one professional visitor per prisoner unless General Manager approved. Professional visitors, including contractors, must show proof of full vaccination upon entry and wear surgical masks at all times during the visit.
As of midnight 29 December 2021, face-to-face domestic visits to all SA prisons have been paused until 23 January 2022. Virtual (Zoom) visits will continue to be facilitated where possible.
The Department has prepared COVID-19 Response Plan to manage COVID cases in our prisons.
All sites have high staff and prisoner vaccination rates with comprehensive PPE, cleaning, and hygiene measures in place.
DCS is taking all preventative steps necessary to ensure the health and safety of our prisons, while prioritising and protecting our prisoners and staff.
More information here.